Cycling in Townsend

Things To Do

There’s nothing quite like experiencing the beauty of cycling in Townsend. Over the years, local community leaders have intentionally widened sidewalks in many areas of our town to encourage cycling, walking and to ensure these fun activities are safe. Traveling by bicycle is one of the best ways to explore our area, whether you’re riding the Cades Cove loop or just getting around town.

Cades Cove’s popular 11-mile paved loop closes to automobiles and allows only bicycle and foot traffic until 10:00 a.m. every Saturday and Wednesday from early May until late September. Conveniently, bike rentals are available right outside the loop entrance. Other rental shops are available around town and will rent bicycles anywhere from a 1/2 day to multi-day use. Rates vary by rider’s age and seasonality.

In addition to Cades Cove, there are multiple biking trails in the Townsend area such as Ellejoy Jaunt, Little River Run, and Townsend Bicycle Trail. For more information about available trails in our area, check out this bicycle trail guide from HikingInTheSmokys.com.

Stay safe! The state of Tennessee requires that children age 16 and younger wear a helmet when biking, but we recommend that all riders wear helmets for their safety. Check with your local bicycle shop for more information about how to keep your bicycle tuned up and properly adjusted.